Rocking-chair.



110.729,674. PATENTED JUNE 2,1903.

c. 1.. SANTEE.

ROCKING CHAIR.

APPLUATION FILED Mn 12. 1902.

N0 MODEL.

UNITED `Patented .Tune 2, 1903.

muon.

Afr-'ENT YRoomse-ol-lAlri.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. '729,674,dated`June 2, 1903.

4 Application filed MaylZ, 1902. Serial No. 106,984. (No model.)

The object of the invention is to provide an` improved spring element for connecting the body and base of a rocking-chair, the element to be so constructed as to distribute imposed weight equally in all directions and to operate also to cushion thechair-body and to permit easy and noiseless rocking motion thereof. 1

A further object is to provide an improved clip or fastening device for securing the terminals of the spring element to the chairbody and to the base, the said clip being so cpnstructed as to permit of ready attachment or detachment and adjustmentof its parts to insure a stable association with the element.

With these and other objects in view, as will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction and combination of parts of a rocking-chair, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed. A

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts, there is illustrated oneform of embodiment of the invention capable of 'carrying the same into practical operation, it being understood that the elements therein exhibited may be varied or changed as .to shape, proportion, and exact manner of assemblage without departing from the spirit thereof, and in these drawings Figure 1 is a View in rear elevation of a rocking-chair equipped with'the springs of the present invention, the chair being tilted forward. Fig. 2 is Valongitudinal sectional View showing the manner in which theclamp or clip is held associated with the seat of the chair. Fig. 3 is a view in transverse section through the clamp. Fig. 4t is a perspective View of the clamp with its parts separated.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the side members of the base of the chair, and 2 the bottom thereof. The side members and bottom are connected by two springs 3, each consisting of an intermediate coiled portion Ll, which may be composed of as many whirls as desired, thelower terminal of each spring being bent laterally to the coils, as at 5, and then into an approximately straight terminal portion 6, which is secured in a clamp 7, attached to the inner sideof the member 1, the other end of the spring being bent to present a terminal S, disposed approximately at right angles to the terminal 6, and is secured within a clamp 9, attached to the under side of the bottom. The two sets of clamps are to be so disposed with relation to each other as to throw the whirls of the springs directly under the center of gravity of the chair-body, thereby not only eecting pro per distribution of the weight, but rendering the springs selfadjusting to various weights, as it will be apparent that they will yield in the direction requisite to center the weight. `Under this arrangement rocking of thebody maybe effected with readinessand ease, much after the same manner as a rocking-chair provided with ordinary rockers, and, moreover, the springs act as cushions to permit the requisite downwardyield tothe bottom.

The clamps, which are of the same'construction when used either on the side members or on the bottom, comprise each a holding member 10 and a clamping member 141. y The holding member comprises a rectangular body portion-12, provided on its upper side `with two lugs or teats 13, to be seated'iin recesses `in the part to which it is connected, and on its under side with a longitudinal groove or channel 14, formed with a plurality of straight bearing faces 15, adapted to be clamped against the spring.

The clamping member is provided with a similar channel or groove 16 of a size to house the body portion of the holding member and having lateral perforated earsl 17, through whichare passed bolts or screws for binding it against the spring andalso holding it in position against the part with which it coacts. As will be seen by reference to Fig. 3, the spring-receiving opening formed between the opposed walls of the channels of the holding member and the clamping member is polygonal in cross-section, thereby presenting a plurality of biting or binding surfaces,

ICO

which rmly impinge the spring, and thus effects its positive assemblage with the clamp and also prevents any possibility of turning or working loose. Should the latter take place, it may readily be remedied by tightening the holding bolts or screws disposed in the ears 17. Further, this arrangement of clamp will permit of accurate adjustment of the springs, so that the chair-bottom will occupya horizontal or approximately horizontal position when not in use;

In order to relieve strain from the upper or seat clamps S, cleats 18 are provided, which firmly bind the free ends of the springs adjacent to the terminals 8 against the bottom of the chair.

By having the supporting-springs independently operable or disconnected from each other not only is the initial cost of equipping a chair with them reduced, but the cost of repair is also proportionately lessened, as if but one of the springs breaks it may readily be replaced at a cost greatly below that that would ensue were the springs connected at their terminals by a cross-bar integral therewith, as is common in many devices of this character.

A rocking-chair equipped with the springs and clamps of this invention will be found thoroughly comfortable in use and able of withstanding long` and hard usage without being broken or otherwise damaged.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. lA rocking-chairhaving a stationary base and a movable body, and cushioning-springs having their intermediate portions formed into whirls, their lower portions bentlaterally and formed into straight terminals disposed longitudinally of the side members `of the base, and their upper terminals bent approXimately at right angles to the lower terminals and disposed against the under side of the chair-seat, and clamping means for holding the said terminals rigidly associated with the parts with which they coact.

2. In a rocking-chair having a stationary base, and a movable body, cushioning-springs disposed under the center of gravity of the chair and formed each with intermediate whirls, the lower ends of which are bent to lie approximately parallel with the inner whirl, and to extend longitudinally of the side members of the base, and the upper ends being bent transversely at right angles to the said inner whirl, and disposed against the under side of the chair-seat, and means for securing the said terminals respectively to the side members of the base and to the seat.

3. In a rocking-chair, the combination with a cushioning-spring, of clamps for securing the spring in position, each clamp comprising aholding member provided with lugs to be seated in a part of the chair and with an angular walled channel, and a clamping mem; ber inclosing the holding member and provided with a substantially similarly shaped channel,said clamping member being adapted to receive suitable fastening means for securing it to a part of the chair.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES L. SANTEE.

Witnesses:

L. U. ZooHERT, E. D. DnNNIs.- 

